Draft-equalizer.



v Patentd- Oct.- 28, 1902.

' H. SPUNAUGLE.

DRAFT EQUALIZER.

Application filed May 1, 1902.|

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

,No Model.)

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No.=7:2,0|5. Patented Oct. 23,1902.

' H. SPUN AUGLE. V

DRAFT EUUALIZEB. A lication filed May 1, 1902.1 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-$heet 2.

NlTED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

HENRY SPUNAUGLE, OF CLARINDA, IOWA.

DRAFT-EQUALIZER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 712,015, dated October 28, 1902.

Application filed Mayl, 1902. Serial 110,105,504. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY SPUNAUGLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Olarinda, in the county of Page and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft-Equalizers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to eveners or draftequalizers, the object in view being to provide a simple, practical, and reliable device by means of which a two-horse vehicle may be adapted to the use of three or four horses, provision being made at the same time whereby the draft will be equally distributed or equalized with respect to each and all of the animals. By means of theconstruction hereinafter described the device may be quickly and readily converted from a three to a four horse evener, or vice versa.

With the above and other objects in view, the nature of which will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a draft pole or tongue, showing the improved evener or draft-equalizer applied thereto and adapted to the use of four horses. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken in line with the doubletree. Fig. 1 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1, showing the evener adapted for the use of three horses. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the guide and traveler disconnected. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the extensible connections between the equalizing-lever and singletree-levers.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a draft pole or tongue having secured to its upper side, near its rear end, aguide 2, preferably consisting of a plate extending for a suitable distance lengthwise of the tongue and fastened at opposite ends thereto by means of pins or bolts 3, the guide-plate being held slightly above the upper surface of the tongue by means of spacing blocks or washers 4, the rear one of which is formed by one end of a brace 5, the opposite or rear end of which is connected with a pin or bolt 6, which passes downward through a block 7 on the upper side of the tongue and also connects with the tongue, as shown in Fig. 2. An equalizing-lever 8 is fulcrumed centrally on the pin or bolt 7, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is preferably arranged between 'the block 7 and the rear end of the brace 5.

A traveler 9 is mounted to slide lengthwise of and upon the guide 2, said traveler being provided with lateral extensions, which are bent downward and inward to form retaininglips 10, which extend sufficiently beneath the guide 2 to prevent the escape of the traveler, while leaving the traveler free to move and slide upon the guide. Extending upward from the traveler 10 is a pin or bolt 11, which forms the fulcrum of the doubletree 12, the latter being centrally pivoted on the bolt 11, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The upper end of the pin or bolt 11 is braced by means of a yoke 13, which extends over the doubletree and has its opposite ends bent downward and pivotally connected to upturned ears or extensions 15 at opposite ends of the traveler 9, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The pivotal connection between the yoke and traveler allows of a slight oscillatory or rocking move ment of the doubletree and prevents binding of the doubletree on the pin or bolt 11.

Arranged on opposite sides of the tongue are singletree-levers 16, the inner ends of which are provided with eyes 17, which overlap each other and receive through them the pin or bolt 11, which acts as a common pivotal connection between the singletree-levers and the doubletree and traveler. The levers 16 may be of any suitable length and are provided at their outer ends with clevises or books 18 for the attachment of the draft-animals, the doubletree being similarly provided at opposite ends with clevises 19. Extensible connections 20 are interposed between the opposite ends of the equalizing-lever 8 and the singletree-levers 16, said connections being attached pivotally to the levers 16 at points 21 intermediate the ends of the levers 16, the pivotal points 21 forming what may be termed movable or floating fulcrums for the singletree-levers.

Each extensible connection 20 is composed of two metal straps, one of which is provided with an eye or slide 22, through which the other member of the connection may he slidingly adjusted, the said other member being provided with a pin 23, adapted to engage in one of a longitudinal series of openings in the first-named member, thus providing for lengthenining and shortening the connection 20.

The evener or draft-equalizer thus far described is adapted to the use of four horses. In order to convert the same into a threehorse evener, one of the levers 16 is removed, which may be done by first removing the pin or bolt 11. In place of the removed lever 16 an eyepiece 24 is inserted between the traveler and doubletree and secured by the pin or bolt 11. The eyepiece has connected to its rear end a chain or other flexible connection 25, which eXtends backward and connects with one arm of the equalizing-leier 8 at a point 26 near one end thereof, as shown in Fig. 1.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that as the outside animals pull forward on the levers 16 said lovers will fulcrum on the connections 20 and the inner ends of said levers will give a backward pressure on the traveler 9, thus throwing the proper proportion of the burden on the draftanimals, which are hitched to the doubletree. The forward movement of the doubletree under the influence of the inside animals will operate to rock the singletree levers and throw the proper proportion of the burden on the outside animals. The same operation holds good under the adaptation of the device to three horses instead of four. The limited oscillatory movement of the pivotal yoke gives ease and freedom to the operation of the doubletree and singletree levers and by preventing cranking or binding of the parts relieves the draft-animals.

The doubletree and singletree levers, as well as the equalizing-lever, may be made of any suitable length to give the necessary purchase or leverage for equalizing the draft, and it is therefore obvious that the invention is susceptible to changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction,which may accordingly be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

A convertible draft equalizer or evener comprising a slidable doubletree, singletreelevers each having a movable fulcrum and a .detachable and pivotal connection with the fulcrum of the doubletree, an equalizing-lever, and flexible connections between the equalizing-lever and the fulcrum-points of the singletree-levers, one of said connections embodying an eyepiece for detachable connection either with the doubletree fulcrumpoint or its respective singletree-lever, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY SPUNAUGLE. [L. s.] Witnesses:

WILLIAM J. SPUNAUGLE, J. J. BAGNALL. 

